Tuesday, 9 October 2012

Text Of President Goodluck Jonathan’s National Broadcast On Flooding

Fellow Nigerians,
1. Over the past few weeks, unprecedented floods have ravaged many parts
of our country, rendering tens of thousands of fellow Nigerians
homeless, and causing massive destruction of property, farmlands, and
infrastructure across the country.2. I wish to express our deep commiseration with all those who have
lost loved ones; those who have lost their property; as well as all the
affected communities and institutions.
3. It is sad that this global phenomenon of devastating floods has come to Nigeria at this time.
4. I want to reassure all Nigerians that the Federal Government is
prepared to do everything possible to mitigate the impact of this
natural disaster.
5. I had earlier set up a Presidential Technical Committee to visit
all affected areas with a view to properly assessing the impact of the
floods. The Committee has since submitted an interim Report.
6. The Report, which contained a number of recommendations, was
presented to key stakeholders including the leadership of the National
Assembly and Governors of the affected States.
7. The Technical Committee will continue to go round the country
while the Vice President and I will also visit some of the affected
communities. When we receive the Committee’s final Report, the Federal
Government will further initiate medium and long-term measures to check
future flood disasters.
8. In the meantime, relevant government agencies have intervened to
provide relief to the affected persons in collaboration with the State
governments.
9. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has so far spent
N1.314 billion to provide immediate relief materials. The Ministry of
Works has spent N556 million on the repair of collapsed bridges and the
construction of bye-passes; while the Ministry of Environment has spent
N95 million on sundry relief measures.
10. In addition to this, the Federal Government has decided on a
number of measures to further ameliorate the situation. These include
the immediate provision of a total of N17.6 billion in direct financial
assistance to the affected States and some Federal Government Agencies
responsible for disaster management. The States will receive a total of
N13.3 billion while the Federal Agencies will receive N4.3 billion.
11. Based on the present assessment, the States have been categorized into four groups: A to D.
All Category A States will receive N500 million each; Category B States,
N400 million each; Category C States, N300 million each; and Category D
States, N250 million each.
12. Category A States: Oyo, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra.
Category B: Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross-River, Edo, Lagos and Imo.

13. To further intensify their intervention activities, the following
agencies of the Federal Government have also been allocated funds as
follows:
• Ministry of Works – N2.6 billion
• National Emergency Management Agency – N1.1 billion
• Ministry of Environment - N350 million
• National Commission for Refugees – N150m
• Technical Committee on Floods Impact Assessment – N100 million
14. I have also set up a National Committee on Flood Relief and
Rehabilitation to assist the Federal Government to raise funds to
mitigate the pains and ensure the effective post-impact rehabilitation
of victims. This Committee will be co-chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote
and Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, while Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr. will serve as the
Chief Funds Mobiliser.
15. The full membership of the Committee will be announced immediately after this broadcast.
16. Fellow Nigerians, let me use this opportunity to thank State
Governments, members of the National Assembly, private individuals,
agencies of government, private sector institutions, NGOs, faith-based
organizations, and philanthropic groups who individually and
collectively have risen to the aid of persons and communities affected
by the floods.
17. This humanitarian and compassionate spirit that has been on
display in the past few weeks reassures us that, at critical moments,
Nigerians are able to come together in pursuit of a common purpose.lk
18. My Fellow Compatriots, let me once again reassure you that this
Administration remains fully committed to the welfare and well being of
all Nigerians at all times.
19. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
20. I thank you all.